Chapter 3

Remus had just finished unpacking when Hermione arrived.

"Hello Hermione. I am relieved to know that you have accepted Dumbledore and his offer."

"It's not a problem Remus, I mean Professor. I would do anything to help you."

Hermione mentally slapped herself as she heard herself speak the last part out loud.

Remus colored a little at her comment… "Could she actually have feelings, beyond a friendship for me," he thought? "Na."

Hermione continued, " I can't believe that the ministry has issued a decree such as this. I wonder why they would even think of such a thing. It's not like werewolf attacks have been becoming more frequent. Who could be behind this law?"

"I think that is pretty obvious. Who has the most power of persuasion at the ministry? Malfoy. As to why, that part explains itself if you know whose side he is really on. The Order and I aren't quite sure exactly why Voldemort has decided to try and wipe out our species, but I'm sure that we will find out soon enough. Well, you are probably exhausted…"

"Actually, no. How can you even think of sleeping Professor, when you know people are hunting you down and could kill you any minute?"

"I can sleep because I trust that Dumbledore will not let any harm come my way. But, yes. I am worried. However, I just can't sit and have to 'what ifs' control my life. I'll show you where you will be staying."

Remus led the way up a pair of wood stairs and into and antique-looking bedroom that had high vaulted ceilings and elaborate paintings with intricate woodwork. A full size bed sat against the far wall and had a maple nightstand next to it. Across from the bed was the dresser and above it, a mirror. The bedroom had two windows with a small balcony that overlooked the garden.

"It's beautiful," said Hermione with wide eyes.

"I can't argue with that," exclaimed Remus while looking at Hermione.

At that she looked into his eyes and saw a spark of what she thought looked like attraction. "No," she thought. "It can't be. He just sees me as another student, a child, one of Harry's friends.

Remus saw that Hermione was looking at him very confusedly. "Well, I'll let you unpack. While you are, I will get us two mugs of warm butterbeer. Does that sound alright with you?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Remus headed back down the stairs and entered the kitchen. He grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard and poured the butterbeer. "Why did I even say that," he asked himself. "I am old enough to be her father! She could never like me…I'm a werewolf. Remus picked up on her tiny footsteps on the stairs. Instantly he warmed the drinks. When Remus turned around to hand her the butterbeer the glasses fell from his hands at what he saw. Hermione had a pair of black soffee shorts on with a red tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a donut (for those of you who don't know what that is, it is a type of bun) and with two strands of hair framing her face.

Hermione muttered a small spell and the glasses and its contents were stopped in mid-air. She spoke another and the butterbeer returned to the mugs. She reached out and set the two drinks on the counter.

"You really should be more careful," laughed Hermione.

"I'll try," he said lamely. Remus thought, "Well, how can I when you're wearing that!"

Hermione felt her cheeks flush a deep shade of red, as he looked her up and down.

He cleared his throat and said, "Let's go sit by the fire."

The two sat up talking and sometimes just enjoying the comfortable silence until they heard the clock sound 2am.

"Wow," Remus said. "I didn't realize how late it was."

"Yeah," Hermione yawned. "I'll see you in the morning." And with that she stood up and headed to her room.

Hermione's thoughts:

This is going to be a long summer. How can I just stay here and 'protect' a werewolf when all I can think about is how to get into his head. Why can't he see that I have liked him for so long? I'm 17. He probably thinks the age difference is too big. It could work though. It really could…this is really going to be a long summer.

Remus' thoughts:

Dumbledore shouldn't have asked her to come here and help me protect myself. I'm sure I would have been able too. I can't believe that we are putting her in a danger such as this. She's too young. She should at Hogwarts with Harry and Ron. I hope that the summer ends soon so things can just go back to normal.